Very high fire danger is forecast on what should be a very warm and windy Wednesday across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven. Maximum temperatures of 27 degrees are expected in Kiama, Wollongong and Nowra, with Jamberoo heading for a top of 28. At 8am, it was already 19.2 degrees in Bellambi and 21.9 degrees at Nowra. Kiama can expect a sunny morning on Wednesday. The afternoon will be partly cloudy, with no rainfall forecast for the afternoon or evening. North to northwesterly winds of 25 to 35km/h are set to become northwesterly 30 to 45km/h during the morning, before shifting south to southwesterly 15 to 25km/h in the afternoon, and picking up to 35 to 45km/hour between 6-9pm. Winds are expected to ease at midnight. The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) said the warm and windy weather will increase the risk of fire. The Illawarra/Shoalhaven’s fire danger rating on Wednesday is very high. While there are no total fire bans in force, the RFS said fire permits will be suspended in areas of very high fire danger.

Very high fire danger as temperatures soar in Kiama

The Kiama Bends on August 22. A week earlier, fires plagued South Coast bushland, and threatened a number of Jerrara properties. Picture: Rebecca Fist

Very high fire danger is forecast on what should be a very warm and windy Wednesday across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven.

Maximum temperatures of 27 degrees are expected in Kiama, Wollongong and Nowra, with Jamberoo heading for a top of 28.

At 8am, it was already 19.2 degrees in Bellambi and 21.9 degrees at Nowra.

Kiama can expect a sunny morning on Wednesday.

The afternoon will be partly cloudy, with no rainfall forecast for the afternoon or evening.

North to northwesterly winds of 25 to 35km/h are set to become northwesterly 30 to 45km/h during the morning, before shifting south to southwesterly 15 to 25km/h in the afternoon, and picking up to 35 to 45km/hour between 6-9pm.

Winds are expected to ease at midnight.

The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) said the warm and windy weather will increase the risk of fire.

The Illawarra/Shoalhaven’s fire danger rating on Wednesday is very high.

While there are no total fire bans in force, the RFS said fire permits will be suspended in areas of very high fire danger.